Rigi: New Gondola Replaces Cable Car

After more than 50 years of operation, the Weggis-Rigi Kaltbad aerial tramway has reached the end of its technical service life. The concession and operating license was last extended by the Federal Office of Transport by 5 years until September 2027, subject to conditions. RIGI BAHNEN AG is planning to implement a gondola orbit, taking into account the legal requirements and based on the report of the Federal Nature and Heritage Commission (ENHK). The gondola project combines restraint, efficiency and guest comfort. It ensures that the district of Rigi Kaltbad remains accessible from Weggis in the long term.
Renewal of cable car

In November 2022, Weggis voters approved the cable car corridor and the zone plan adjustment on Rigi Kaltbad with a 77% yes share, thereby creating the conditions for a renewal of the cable car. The gondola project was then continuously further developed due to the constantly changing environment. Among other things, the specifications of the authorities and specialist commissions from the statements on the preliminary dossier were adopted in the revision of the project and incorporated into the detailed building application dossier. The planning approval process will start in April 2023 with the submission to the Federal Office of Transport.

FLEXIBLE OPERATION

The new gondola allows operations to be tailored to the number of guests. On busy days, all gondolas are in use, which roughly corresponds to today's continuous operation of the aerial tramway. On days with low footfall or for access trips at off-peak times, a convoy operation with 3 gondolas going down the valley and 3 going up the mountain is possible, which is equivalent to the half-hourly service of the aerial tramway today.

TRANSPORT CAPACITY

As part of the planning progress, the Rigi Bahnen decided that the transport capacity of the new gondola lift will be increased from 650 to 850 people per hour compared to the existing aerial tramway. The originally planned and communicated expansion option to 1,200 people per hour will be dispensed with. Among other things, the cable car technology and the gondola garage at the valley station are designed in such a way that a later expansion of capacity is ruled out.

With the moderate increase in transport capacity, waiting times on busy days can be reduced in a targeted manner. These occur especially on weekends with high fog and in winter, as soon as the sun goes down and the guests are concentrated on the descent. On busy days, the proportion of Swiss guests is over 90%. In this respect, Swiss guests will primarily benefit from an adjustment in transport capacity.

RAILWAY CABLEWAY LINE

The lines of the new gondola remain on the cable axis of the existing aerial tramway. A total of 13 supports will be erected at 11 support locations, of which 11 are planned as tubular supports and two as truss supports. Various designs were tested for tall support #3 below Chile Forest. In consultation with experts and authorities, the client came to the decision that a transparent truss support of all variants would best be integrated into the landscape.